Social survey methods

Question 1

Social survey:

Answer 1

• Systematic collection of quantitative data from a large number of people
• Mostly questionnaires
• Sometimes structured interviews

Question 2

Advantage of social survey

Answer 2

Shows a change in attitudes and behaviour over years

Question 3

Disadvantages of social surveys

Answer 3

Drop out rates - can lead to less representation

Question 4

Questionnaires

Answer 4

• Positivist method
• Handed out person-to-person
• Postal
• Published in the media

Question 5

Why do positivists like questionnaires:

Answer 5

• Standardised questions which create reliable data and replicability
• Pre-coded questions which means quantitative data is produced
• Large scale

Question 6

Why do interpretivists reject questionnaires ?

Answer 6

• Impose the researchers framework of ideas on the respondents
• Lack of validity - fail to achieve the main aim

Question 7

What to consider when making a questionnaire:

Answer 7

• Types of questions - open or closed
• Semi-structured variations - self-report, longitudinal
• Length of questionnaire
• Question construction - Neutral, objective, straightforward

Question 8

Advantages of questionnaires:

Answer 8

• Large target population
• Cheap
• Guarantee anonymity
• Minimises researcher bias
• Allow for data comparison

Question 9

Disadvantages of questionnaires:

Answer 9

• people may not respond
• questions can be misunderstood
• Interpretivists - closed questions measure what the research thinks is important to ask

Question 10

Closed questions:

Answer 10

• Contain series of questions accompanied by a choice of answers
• Respondent ticks the box with the most appropriate answer
• Produces quantitative data

Question 12

Open questions:

Answer 12

• Respondent writes down feelings or experiences
• Produces quantitative data expressed in respondents own words